Help Syrian Refugees in St. Louis

UPDATE: Now that we've surpassed our second goal of $1000, we'd like to expand our efforts to benefit a second refugee assistance organization, namely the Immigrant and Refugee Women's Program of St. Louis (http://www.irwp.net), which assists immigrant and refugee women in St. Louis acclimate to the United States by teaching them crucial English language leasing and practical  life skills so they may become increasingly self-sufficient, confident and to help expand their quality of life, benefiting both the local refugee and larger St. Louis communities. The next $500 raised will be dedicated to purchasing educational tools for the Immigrant and  Refugee Women's Program, as requested on their Amazon wish list: (https://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/38O0HO9VK6DJ1/ref=cm_wl_sortbar_v_page_2/161-1774950-1683714?ie=UTF8&page=2)


After we reach our $1500 goal, any addtional funds raised will revert back to the previous aim of benefitting the International Institute. 

St. Louis is known as the Gateway to the West and has a long history of welcoming refugees to the U.S. thanks to the International Institute of St. Louis, the region's largest refugee resettlement agency. Partnering with the International Institute for guidance, Liz Cairns-Callen and I are proud to sponsor a supply drive with the generous participation of local Starbucks locations (list below) to collect much-needed home goods and supplies to help make each new house a welcome home. 

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch Documents Work of International Institute, Needs of Syrian Refugees

The International Institute has provided a list of most-needed items to get these newest St. Louisans started and on their feet. In addition to collecting some of these smaller items in bins at local Starbucks locations, we'll also be collecting monetary contributions to help purchase larger, more expensive items, like vaccuums, prepaid cell phones and large table lamps, all of which you can also donate in store, if you have gently used items to contribute. 

Below is a list of most needed items - as updated by the International Institute - and an estimated cost for each item.  We welcome contributions of all sizes and in any combination, if you'd like to contribute multiple items.  All monetary contributions will be  directly donated to the International Institute without exception. At least $500 of funds will be used to purchase supplies to be donated to the International Institute, additional funds may bedirectly donated to the International Institute so they may allocate funding to their greatest needs.

Thank you for your support and thank you for welcoming our newest community members home, right here in St. Louis!

Most Needed Items:

$5 provides 12 Rolls of Toilet Paper

$10 provides 64 Loads of Laundry Detergent 

$13 provides 1 Umbrella

$15 provides 80 Trash Bags

$20 provides 14 Pair of Underwear or Socks

$25 provides 1 Prepaid Cellphone

$30 provides 200 Diapers sizes 3 – 6

$35 provides 2 Table Lamps with shades

$40 provices 1 New Pair of Women's Shoes, also accepting gently used or new closed –toed shoes (tennis shoes, flats, boots, dress shoes) for all ages/genders

$50 provides 1 Vacuum

$75 provides 1 Bassinet

$100 provides 1 Table and a Set of 4 Chairs

$150 provides Groceries for One Week from Jay’s International Grocery

Liz Cairns-Callen and Dan Riley are not employees of the International Institute, nor are they associated with the organization in any way.  Liz and Dan independently  organized  this supply drive and fundraiser on behalf of fellow St. Louisans seeking to aid and welcome Syrian refugees to St. Louis, choosing the International Institute of St. Louis because they are the largest and most active refugee resettlement agency in the region. Regional Starbucks locations have generously donated floor space - at their discretion - to help collect supplies and are not being paid or reimbursed for their assistance. All funds raised will be withdrawn and distributed by Dan Riley, with every dollar raised going directly to donations of supplies or funds to the International Institute of St. Louis.  At least $500 will be spent directly on the most requested and needed supplies in cooperation with the International Institute's guidelines. Any additional funds will either be used to purchase additional supplies or  directly donated to the International Institute so they may direct funds, as necessary, to the greatest needs, at their discretion. Absolutely all donated goods and funds will be delivered directly to the International Institute of St. Louis without exception. This fundraiser and drive ends February 28, 2017.